Allgemeine SS NCO/EM's Belt Buckle

SKU: 50.GOR.02.02.02.002

Estimated market value:

$ Click to See Price/Value

  • Allgemeine SS NCO/EM's Belt Buckle, by Overhoff & Cie. (nickel-silver) Obverse
  • Allgemeine SS NCO/EM's Belt Buckle, by Overhoff & Cie. (nickel-silver) Reverse
  • Allgemeine SS NCO/EM's Belt Buckle, by Overhoff & Cie. (nickel-silver) Detail
  • Allgemeine SS NCO/EM's Belt Buckle, by Overhoff & Cie. (nickel-silver) Maker Mark

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    1927

History


The belt buckle for Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisten Men (NCO/EM) was introduced around 1927. Prior to this date, SS troops wore the belt buckle designed for SA personnel.

It is a box belt buckle that features the national eagle with spread wings, partially encircled by a twisted rope border. The eagle holds an enwreathed swastika in its talons, which is encircled by an additional twisted rope border. The SS motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (my honour is loyalty) is embossed between these two rope borders.

From 1927 until 1931, the buckle was exclusively produced by the company of Overhoff & Cie. The buckles produced by this firm were either marked "O&C Ges. Gesch" or "Overhoff & Cie Lüdenscheid".

After 1931, Overhoff & Cie was still the primary producer, but other manufacturing firms were brought in to increase production numbers. As production was not limited to a single company, countless manufacturer’s variants can be encountered.

From 1931 until 1936, buckles were produced from nickel silver, plated brass, or plated silver. From 1937 to 1940, buckles were produced in die-struck aluminium. In 1940, the die-struck aluminium buckles were replaced with steel.

Almost all buckles feature RZM approval markings and maker’s codes.

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding early manufacturing codes as the style of coding was changed numerous times.

As of 1931, suppliers issued buckles with four to five digit part numbers. For example, Steinhauer & Lück was part number 8966.

From 1934 until 1936, buckles were marked with "RZM" and a two-digit manufacturer’s code. Only three codes are known: “24” for Overhoff & Cie, “57” for Assmann, and “63” for Steinhauer & Lück.

In 1936, buckles were stamped with RZM/SS contract numbers and the last two digits of the year of production, for example: RZM 36/40 SS.

In 1943, the SS took over control of their uniform production and afterwards, some buckles were produced featuring a marker’s logo, such as the RODO variant and the “JFS” variant (Josef Feix & Söhne).

Early examples feature clasps that were moulded to the buckle, and later examples feature clasps that were separately welded to the buckle.

FOR SALE / WANTED

Item For Sale By

Be the first to sell this item

Wanted By

Be the first to request this item

Versions

  • Price

    $800 USD

  • Composition

    Nickel-Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

    64x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $325 USD

  • Composition

    Silvered Bronze

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

    62x47mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $350 USD

  • Composition

    Steel

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $400 USD

  • Composition

    Steel

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

    64x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $350 USD

  • Composition

    Nickel-Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

    64x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $425 USD

  • Composition

    Aluminum

  • Inscription

    Obv: MEINE EHRE HEIßT TREUE

  • Size

    64x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item

Comments

Sign in to comment and reply.

Scroll Top